Piper laid on the cold hard ground, her body ached all over. She hadn't moved in so long she felt like she couldn't remember how. She opened her eyes to a dim light in the distance, looking down she could see her long dark hair was matted and filthy.
She mustered enough strength to sit up and look around. They were still stuck, still lost, and still chained.
She looked over to see Paige watching her quietly; there were no demons within ear shot.
"Piper, are you alright?" Paige scooted to the edge and starred at her older sister with apprehension in her eyes. Piper nodded slowly.
"You were asleep for so long… I was worried." Paige's eyes glistened with tears. Piper didn't say anything which bothered Paige. Piper was giving up; Paige sat for a moment before speaking again, over the days she had been trying to think of a plan to escape.
Piper told Paige a few days ago that she thought that Phoebe and Penny were dead; she had given up all hope of surviving this.
But not Paige, she was far too stubborn to give up. She knew in order to get free that had to get out of this part of the underworld, but how, she still hadn't come up with that yet.
She needed Piper to be on board, she needed her to get stronger and get her from this cage so they could get out.
"Piper…" She called. Piper looked up, but still did not verbally respond. Piper was the heart of this family, without her, they couldn't make it.
Paige paused for another few seconds. She was about to take a risk, one she hadn't taken with many people since the death of her parents but she felt like now was the time.
She felt tears stinging in the creases of her eyes but she blinked over and over to not let them escape.
"Can I tell you something?" Paige asked, she was as close to Piper as the cage would allow. Piper nodded.
Paige took a deep breath. She looked down at her hands, this was awkward and she didn't know where to begin.
"When my mom and dad died, Penny and I both saw it, we were in counseling for a while and things started to get better but I was…" She paused.
Piper was looking at her blankly and waiting for her to continue.
"I was really closed off to love, but then we found you guys. I told myself that I couldn't handle any more pain and I closed my heart. I always wanted older sisters when I was young. Penny and I are so far apart in age and I always wanted older sisters to talk to and to lean on, especially when my parents died, but when I found you, I was too afraid to be vulnerable." Paige picked at her nails. Her hands were cut in spots and covered in dirt.
"Piper, I know now is weird time to be open but I may never get the chance, I want to tell you thank you. You, Prue and Phoebe saved us. You've always tried to be there for me, even when I am difficult and push you away. I don't know how else to say it but I love you and I need you." Paige shut her eyes tight as a tear escaped down her cheek. She let out a breath as if she had just released the world off her shoulders.
"I need you to be strong," She could see Piper's face crumbling as she started to cry, "I love you too, more than you know," Piper replied.
She wished she could get to Paige and just hold her for a moment. It was the first time Paige had outwardly acknowledged their connection as sisters, and that was the strongest connection they had with each other.
She could feel her heart flutter for a moment; she hadn't realized how much she needed that moment.
Minutes passed and Piper tried to process the conversation that she and Paige just had.
"I'm trying to be strong Paige, I feel so weak, especially without Prue…" Piper paused. They always leaned on Prue for strength; she couldn't imagine how she was feeling, wherever she was.
Paige looked at Piper, she seemed to be thinking. "What are you thinking?" Piper asked. Paige's eyes were bright, "We're going to get out, or… you are," Paige locked eyes with Piper. "If we can get you out then you can get back to Phoebe and Penny to come get me and Prue.
Piper thought for a moment. She turned from Paige when she heard demons in the distance. She looked at Paige and mouthed "Shh."
It was dim; the demons could not see them from where they were.
They're moving in, the demon of illusion is finally going so we can get rid of these witches. Piper listened close.
So if the demon of illusion succeeds in getting the other two to give up their powers, he becomes the source? Another voice spoke up. The demon laughed.
Piper was straining so hard to hear. Who knows, good luck finding them, they fled the house over a week ago. We've had Malik there for days watching for their return.
Piper's eyes widened, Paige was watching her sister's face with confusion, she could only hear muffled noise.
The demons came into view and the entire room was light. Piper winced; her eyes couldn't adjust so she shut them tight. Here's some water witch.
They gave water to Piper and Paige and left, they watched the light dim again as they walked off into the distance.
Paige looked at Piper, "What?" Paige asked.
Piper had tears in her eyes, "Paige… Phoebe and Penny are alive; they aren't in the underworld," Piper said. "How," before Paige could finish Piper interrupted, "those demons just said that. They said the other two fled the manor a few days ago, that means they're alive! At least a week ago they were," Piper's voice got louder.
Paige shushed her, "Piper, quiet, they'll hear you!" Paige starred down towards the light to ensure no demons were coming. That was the most energy she had seen Piper have in what felt like years. They had been gone for so long they lost track of the days.
"We're going to get out of here Piper, I know it," She started to think of what to do, she had to do this. To get to Prue, and to get home to Phoebe and Penny, "We can do this," she whispered. We can.